Gohan set out for Mt. Paozu the following day intending to talk to Chi-Chi, not trail her in secret like some spy.
But when he arrived at his childhood home, he witnessed his mother leaving the house all made up, wearing one of her fancy dresses, looking simultaneously excited and nervous as she made her way to the car.
Gohan decided that if that did not count as suspicious behavior, he did not know what did.
So against his better judgment, he flew a few paces behind her and followed as she drove out of East District and into West City. It turned out that an even bigger surprise awaited him at her destination.
Capsulizing the car, Chi-Chi made her way into New Dragon, the most lavish restaurant in all of West City, notorious for fancy meals that cost more Zeni than was reasonable. New Dragon served elite clientele like Mr. Satan and the Briefs; it was hardly a place that a family like the Sons would frequent.
Goku was right. Something fishy was going on.
Retreating into a nearby alley but keeping his eyes trained on the restaurant entrance, Gohan fished his phone out from his pocket and dialed Goku's number.
Barely a ring and his father picked up. "Hi Gohan. Talked to Chi-Chi yet?"
"Not yet, but… has Mother mentioned anything about having an appointment today?"
"Hmm," came Goku's thoughtful voice from the other end of the line. "Not that I recall. Why?"
"She just went into this fancy restaurant and… hello?" The line died. "Father?" Gohan called into his phone.
"See, I told you something's strange!" Goku's voice came from behind him. Gohan jumped.
"Father! You surprised me!" He exclaimed, clutching at his heart. "Why did you come here so suddenly?"
Goku shrugged. "Better to talk in person." His eyes scanned the area beyond the alley. "Chi-Chi is here?"
"Yes," Gohan confirmed. Pointing to New Dragon, he added, "She's inside that restaurant over there."
Goku's eyes widened in surprise. "This doesn't look like a place Chi-Chi would go to. You know she only ever spends for your or Goten's education."
"I know," Gohan replied.
"So, should we follow her inside?" Goku asked.
"No!" Gohan exclaimed, horrified at the idea. "We're dead if Mother sees us! Besides, a place like this won't let us in without a reservation."
Just then, a car passed by the mouth of the alley they were in and pulled over at New Dragon. A well-groomed man in a handsome suit emerged, and in a clear voice that carried all the way to where Goku and Gohan were spying from, he announced:
"I have a reservation under Son Chi-Chi."
It was a long time after the man was ushered into the restaurant before the stunned silence was broken between Goku and Gohan.
"Chi-Chi is…" Goku sounded disbelieving. "Chi-Chi is meeting up with… a man?"
Gohan tried to be positive. "He could be a friend."
"But we've never met him! She's never talked about him!" Goku pointed out, his voice on the verge of panic. "And why are they here at this expensive place?"
'And why is Mother all dressed up?' Gohan thought, but he kept his mouth shut. His father needed no extra provocation.
"Oh no, Gohan," Goku moaned, cradling his head in his hands. "Is this why she wouldn't tell me who she's been writing letters to?"
"Father…"
"This is my fault," Goku continued to whimper. "I've been so unreliable and now she doesn't want to talk to me and she's out meeting other people."
"Father, relax!" Gohan tried to calm him down. "We don't even know for sure what's happening."
But even as he said that, Gohan could not shake off a feeling of foreboding as his thoughts strayed to what seemed obvious.
It was almost sundown by the time Goku and Gohan began making their way back to Mt. Paozu. They had been flying around aimlessly since leaving West City, Goku in a daze and uncharacteristically unresponsive.
Gohan sighed helplessly as he watched his father's slouched form drift sluggishly by. "Father…"
"Gohan," Goku suddenly called, sounding apprehensive. "Do you… do you think I make a terrible husband and father?"
Gohan groaned. "What are you saying now?"
"Just be honest with me, Gohan," Goku insisted, not making eye contact. "I know some people think I don't love my family."
"I'm not one of those people," Gohan announced firmly. Stopping mid-flight, he reached out and held Goku's shoulders steady, forcing his father to look at him.
The sun was setting behind Goku, and Gohan could not quite decide if the red on his father's face was from emotion or from the dying light of the sun.
"You're not perfect, Father," Gohan admitted. "But you've always protected our family and showed your love for us in the ways you could. I've looked up to you since I was little. Goten does too."
"So please…" he appealed. "Please don't ever think you're a bad husband or a bad father, because you're not. Not in the eyes of those who matter."
A small smile bloomed on Goku's lips, and for a moment, all was well.
"I appreciate that, Gohan," he murmured. "Thank you."
The moment was short-lived, however.
"But maybe Chi-Chi's grown tired of me?" Goku wondered, absentmindedly pulling free from Gohan's grasp.
"I've always been so selfish, doing my thing, leaving her alone... maybe she's done with that and doesn't want me anymore?"
"I can't speak for Mother," Gohan said honestly. "But what I do know is that she's a strong woman who doesn't need to cling to a husband all the time to be happy."
"Yes, but… maybe she thinks I don't love her?" Goku proposed.
"Well, don't you?" Gohan asked.
"Of course I do!" Goku replied with so much energy his ki flared. "But…"
"But you are who you are, Father," Gohan finished. "I understand. And I know Mother understands, too. So you know… just talk to her, sort it out."
Goku was silent in contemplation, but after a long, long while in which Gohan waited with bated breath, he smiled and the usual fire that lit his eyes returned.
"You're right, Gohan," he resolved. "I'll talk to her. Maybe it isn't too late."
"I'm sure it's not, Father," Gohan assured him with a smile.
They flew the rest of the way to Mt. Paozu in silence, though it was significantly less heavy than what Gohan had suffered through in the first half of their journey.
